Business and Economy

Lancashire has established a reputation as a UK leader in a number of sectors and is also delivering some major successes in competitive global markets. Latest figures show Lancashire’s Gross Value Added (GVA) is around £21bn, with some 670,000 people in work. This makes it the second largest economy in North West England and one of the biggest in the North.

The county is home to some well established business sectors and leading edge innovators, with key industries ranging from advanced manufacturing and the nuclear industry to high technology textiles and the visitor economy. The world-leading Lancashire aerospace sector alone contributes £851m to the economy.

There is a core of industrial and commercial small and medium enterprises geared up for growth, together with the research and development facilities of major employers such as BAE Systems and Springfields Fuels Limited, which offer opportunities for technology transfer in partnership with the county’s universities.

An emerging ‘office economy’ of business and professional services is further evidence of a dynamic and increasingly growth oriented economy at work.

Lancashire's world-class reputation in key sectors has resulted in a highly skilled, technical and innovative workforce. Some of the country’s best brains graduate from Lancashire’s three universities. Lancaster University, with its 6 star rated Management School, the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and Edge Hill University in Ormskirk provide a range of opportunities for both students and businesses. In addition, Lancashire is home to St. Martin’s, a campus of the University of Cumbria.

More information about Lancashire's economic and social profile (external website).